As soon as Jian Ren's words fell, the entire arena of sword cultivators erupted into deafening cheers. They had always harbored dissatisfaction towards Chu Yang, believing he was unworthy of being the personal disciple of the Sword Sovereign. However, out of respect for the sect leader, no one had openly challenged Chu Yang until now.
With Jian Ren's emergence and his challenge to Chu Yang as the top disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect's Swordsmanship Tournament, the sword cultivators felt that he was doing what they had long wanted but dared not to do.
They cheered wildly for Jian Ren, hoping he could defeat Chu Yang and show the sect leader that he had misjudged.
They revered the strong, and if Jian Ren were to become the personal disciple of the sect leader, they would have no complaints. But an unknown newcomer trying to rise above them was something they could not accept.
Jian Ren stood in the center of the arena, holding his long sword, his gaze fixed on Chu Yang. The challenge was clear.
In the entire Heavenly Sword Sect, he was the undisputed prodigy of swordsmanship, reaching the realm of a Great Power at just twenty years old. His prowess allowed him to defeat cultivators of the same level with a single sword strike.
Despite his monstrous talent and tireless cultivation, he had never gained the sect leader's attention.
Meanwhile, Chu Yang, a newcomer, had been allowed to stay in the revered Heavenly Sword Pavilion for a whole year—a privilege Jian Ren had never had in his ten years at the sect.
Now, Jian Ren intended to use his sword to step on Chu Yang and prove to the sect leader that he was the true prodigy of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
The Sword Sovereign, upon hearing Jian Ren's words, was visibly displeased. Chu Yang was his most valued disciple, and such a public challenge felt like a slight against him. Considering Chu Yang had only been with the sect for a year, how could he possibly contend with someone like Jian Ren, who had immersed himself in swordsmanship for over a decade?
Though he wanted to protect Chu Yang, Jian Ren's public challenge left him in a difficult position.
Chu Yang, however, stepped forward and said, "Master, there's no need to worry. Senior Brother merely wishes to spar with me, and there's no harm in that. Besides, this is a good opportunity for you to see my progress over the past year."
The Sword Sovereign looked at Chu Yang, whose face remained calm and unflinching, but he could clearly see the invincible belief deep within Chu Yang's eyes.
"Good, very good. As expected of my disciple. Since that's the case, go and spar with Jian Ren!" The Sword Sovereign's eyes gleamed with anticipation, eager to see Chu Yang's progress.
Turning to Jian Ren in the arena, he added, "Remember, this is a friendly sparring match among disciples. Don't go too far, or you will bear the consequences!"
Chu Yang moved gracefully, responding affirmatively before landing in the center of the arena.
All eyes were on Chu Yang, dressed in ragged clothes, looking nothing like a typical sword cultivator.
Jian Ren looked at Chu Yang with contempt and disdain, but he still courteously said, "Junior Brother, you may strike first. I will hold back and not harm you. Rest assured."
Chu Yang's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "No, you should strike first. Otherwise, you won't have the chance to."
The arena fell silent. The disciples wanted to ask Chu Yang where he got his courage from and who gave it to him.
Even the Sword Sovereign was slightly taken aback. He intended to observe Chu Yang's progress over the year, knowing that Chu Yang's swordsmanship was strong and promising, but he didn't believe Chu Yang could defeat Jian Ren.
With Jian Ren's current strength, unless the old monsters from major sects intervened, no one could kill him.
How could Chu Yang possibly defeat such an existence?
The Sword Sovereign opened his mouth to say something but ultimately refrained. Denying Chu Yang in front of all the disciples would be a blow to both Chu Yang and himself.
Jian Ren was equally surprised that his junior brother, who had only been in the sect for a year, dared to speak such words. But instead of getting angry, he was delighted. If Chu Yang was so arrogant, he wouldn't hold back.
"Since that's the case, I won't hold back!"
He couldn't understand Chu Yang's confidence. Even against an ordinary God King, Jian Ren could kill with a single sword strike. Despite Chu Yang's extraordinary talent, surpassing him in just one year was impossible.
Taking a deep breath, Jian Ren decided to thoroughly crush Chu Yang's spirit, avenging the many disciples who harbored resentment.
As long as he didn't cripple Chu Yang, even the sect leader couldn't say anything, especially since Chu Yang's arrogance provoked this.
Buzz!
A crisp sword hum erupted from Jian Ren's long sword, the sound piercing the heavens, and the blinding sword light made it difficult to look directly at.
"Junior Brother, be careful of this strike."
Jian Ren leaped into the air, his figure seeming to freeze in the void. His long sword hummed again before he struck down with tremendous force.
The sword light was as magnificent as the Milky Way.
It seemed to tear through space, starting as a thin ray but expanding in the next moment into a celestial river, its might capable of cutting through anything.
Time seemed to freeze, and all other Dao techniques paled in comparison to this sword strike.
Even the sun high above seemed to fear this sword light, dimming in its presence.
The world lost its color, leaving only the dazzling sword light, like a river of stars, capable of reversing the heavens.
The surrounding disciples were shocked by the terrifying sword light, retreating over a thousand meters to avoid being caught in its wake.
The Sword Sovereign's eyes flashed with concern. He hadn't expected Jian Ren to unleash such a terrifying move and felt a surge of worry for Chu Yang.
If Chu Yang was in any danger, he would intervene immediately. Chu Yang was his only hope and couldn't be lost here.
At that moment, Chu Yang's long sword moved.
The sword trembled slightly in the air before unleashing an overwhelming sword aura that swept across the sky.
This sword aura was no less terrifying than Jian Ren's.
It seemed to split the silent world, crossing time and space, as if it didn't belong to this world but traversed an endless river of time.
The invincible sword aura tore through the heavens, cutting down everything in its path.
Even more terrifying was the invincible sword intent contained within this earth-shattering strike.
The sword intent surged to the heavens, causing the sky to tremble, as if even the heavens feared this dreadful sword.
This sword was eternal!
The watching disciples were filled with a sense of submission, unable to muster any resistance against such an incredible strike.
Even the Sword Sovereign was amazed by Chu Yang's sword.
This sword could slay a saint!